The fascener system looks solid on these. My only issue is it looks like it's pulling your second toe in toward the others. I've seen other brands that allow adjustments, so that you can get the strap in a bit less aggressive an angle, which I think would be better for me. Precisely why I haven't pulled the tr!gger on any sandals yet, so many choices. I can say that whatever barefoot shoes or sandals I get next are going to have vibram soles. I have yet to experience the miracle material.
That's part of why you can slide the diagonal strap up and down. When you slide it back it makes the sandal tighter, but when you slide it forward, it loosens, so you can have as much or little pressure on the second toe as you like.
Mr.Folts, I have a few pairs of Barefoot thong sandals that I like. They fit well,and are very comfortable,and they stay on. These Toetems look great. They are pricey,but I am sure they are worth it. Thanks.
Hey Lisa, yea, I never was a thong sandal person, but the softness of Toetem's has me fully won over now. If you get a good strap system it makes all the difference!
The leather dries a bit faster and I think I prefer it overall. The hemp has a little more texture, which can be nice for slippery conditions, but does retain moisture longer.
With the heat waves we’re having here in northern Westchester New York I think it’s time for a pair of barefoot running sandals or a pair of super breathable barefoot running shoes
Yea, it's been a hot summer so far in NY. I've been doing almost all my hiking and running in sandals. The Toetem Alpha's ruclips.net/video/bU1cweEMjVA/видео.html are my fav's.
Yea, I often size down in sandals, because you don't have to worry about the toebox being too constricting. But always check the sizing templates to be sure your toes won't fall off the edge.
@@mysense7005 For full vegan you can check out Monk Sandals, Shamma, or DLD. Here's a list of vegan sandals: www.barefootwear.org/barefoot-shoe-finder/?sortId=e%2560g%253E_dsc&filterIds=LpqE%2C%253BQnw%2CSS%2560C&filterValueIds=%60Lmt%2Ccb7d6460-6dfe-4426-8945-227d6eb918f6%2C40a7fc47-ca15-4963-9bc2-3fdadf7b545b
@@AndrewFolts I talked with the customer support on toetem webiste and their jackrabbit model is vegan, but all blackbear version have some leather in them. Would be cool if you could review jackrabbit in the future as well, it looks pretty interesting. Overall, I started thinking that maybe it would be fun to make my own sandals, because every model lacks something
@@mysense7005 Yea, making sandals has been a goal of mine too. I tried one time and it came out pretty bad, ha. Good to know about the JackRabbit, I'l put it on my list. Probably very similar to the Alpha Blackbear, just with a little less security around the heel due to the more minimal straps.
Query for you my good sir re barefoot sandals, did you find your feet needed to be “broken in”? I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for several years but never sandals. I took my DLDs out the other day for first real “urban” trek and my feet started feeling all prickly after 2hrs or so. Took them off and let’s just say the things had given me a rough pedicure on the soles of my feet and left skin imbedded in the footbed. Any advice? I’d hate to have to reconsider my purchase because of the footbed material (it’s the somewhat rough, slightly beaded for lack of a better word, footbed to give grip when wet) but maybe a softer one is in order unless this type of response is expected until one’s feet toughen up?
Funny enough the Toetem Alpha and DLD Perception are my two most used sandals right now. The Alpha's are my favorites for pretty much everything and have a smoother footbed, which doesn't leave a mark, but, like you say, in wet conditions, the textured footbed of the Perceptions definitely has a better grip. You might consider just getting a second pair of a different brand and switching between them for different uses. The Frontier would be overkill for urban terrain, imo, but the Alpha is perfect. ruclips.net/video/bU1cweEMjVA/видео.html
@@AndrewFolts do you find you have to constantly readjust your DLDs? I get them where I want, walk a bit, take them off by dropping the heel strap and when I pop them on again they are loose or at least not where I had them before (noticeably so). I’m beginning to think I’ll need to get toetems as I prize ease of use and foot security foremost. Expensive result 😢
@@cybersurf5 No, if anything I found the DLD's difficult to get loose, because the rubber clings tight to the wide straps. I've never once adjusted them since day one. But yea, Toetem's are easier to adjust when needed with the velcro.
@@cybersurf5 Shamma sandals are #1 for security due to the extra strap, but they feel stiff and uncomfortable to me. Toetem's are #2 for security and #1 for everything else, so they're what I wear most of the time.
That's what I thought for years...always hated toe thongs. Some barefoot huarache's I tried were not too bad, but with Toetem's the thong is so smooth/soft I forget it's even there. Now I prefer it, because of the improved security for running.
I prefer the leather. The temp regulation is better. That said, the hemp does have some nice texture to create a bit more grip for wet conditions, although it will take longer to dry.
I've never stubbed my toe once in Toetem's. Funny enough, I tend to order sandals a half size down and I think that helps with agility and spacial awareness, but the toe thong also keeps the sole snug to your foot, so it doesn't catch on roots and such.
Well this solves my dilemma of buying Luna's and resoling them with Vibram soles... Frontiers looks sweet..how sandals should be made (with Vibram) to begin with...All barefoot zero drop shoes, boots sandals should be manufactured with Vibram all around necessary
There's no such thing as a "cruelty-free" product, unfortunately. Even many organic farms shoot, trap, and poison animals in order to protect their crops (cotton, etc), along with disrupting natural habitat...noise pollution...deforestation...emissions from harvesting/production/shipping. The Frontier Hemp is a good vegan option, though, and Toetem sources the materials for their leather sandals locally from small scale farms that treat their animals as respectfully as possible.
Thanks for sharing Andrew!
You got it, keep up the killer designs!
The fascener system looks solid on these.
My only issue is it looks like it's pulling your second toe in toward the others.
I've seen other brands that allow adjustments, so that you can get the strap in a bit less aggressive an angle, which I think would be better for me.
Precisely why I haven't pulled the tr!gger on any sandals yet, so many choices.
I can say that whatever barefoot shoes or sandals I get next are going to have vibram soles.
I have yet to experience the miracle material.
That's part of why you can slide the diagonal strap up and down. When you slide it back it makes the sandal tighter, but when you slide it forward, it loosens, so you can have as much or little pressure on the second toe as you like.
Mr.Folts,
I have a few pairs of Barefoot thong sandals that I like. They fit well,and are very comfortable,and they stay on. These Toetems look great. They are pricey,but I am sure they are worth it.
Thanks.
Hey Lisa, yea, I never was a thong sandal person, but the softness of Toetem's has me fully won over now. If you get a good strap system it makes all the difference!
Andrew thanks for another great review! Does anyone know how the hemp foot bed compares to the leather when it’s wet/drying time?
The leather dries a bit faster and I think I prefer it overall. The hemp has a little more texture, which can be nice for slippery conditions, but does retain moisture longer.
With the heat waves we’re having here in northern Westchester New York I think it’s time for a pair of barefoot running sandals or a pair of super breathable barefoot running shoes
Yea, it's been a hot summer so far in NY. I've been doing almost all my hiking and running in sandals. The Toetem Alpha's ruclips.net/video/bU1cweEMjVA/видео.html are my fav's.
are toetem sideposts made from leather even?
Yep! It's a tough fabric strap with soft leather sewed on either side.
Hi there. What size did you go for? Would you recomend sizing down?
Yea, I often size down in sandals, because you don't have to worry about the toebox being too constricting. But always check the sizing templates to be sure your toes won't fall off the edge.
Is there a compareable sandal for cheaper. Because these ones sound amazing but they are way too expensive for me.... I am just a student :(
Yea, check out Monk Sandals. ruclips.net/video/X6jUWUGaI1U/видео.html They also have Vibram soles and a variety of straps/thicknesses.
are toetem side posts made from leather?
Yep! It's a tough fabric strap with soft leather sewed on either side.
@@AndrewFolts oh, that sucks, I was hoping that they are vegan.
@@mysense7005 For full vegan you can check out Monk Sandals, Shamma, or DLD. Here's a list of vegan sandals: www.barefootwear.org/barefoot-shoe-finder/?sortId=e%2560g%253E_dsc&filterIds=LpqE%2C%253BQnw%2CSS%2560C&filterValueIds=%60Lmt%2Ccb7d6460-6dfe-4426-8945-227d6eb918f6%2C40a7fc47-ca15-4963-9bc2-3fdadf7b545b
@@AndrewFolts I talked with the customer support on toetem webiste and their jackrabbit model is vegan, but all blackbear version have some leather in them.
Would be cool if you could review jackrabbit in the future as well, it looks pretty interesting.
Overall, I started thinking that maybe it would be fun to make my own sandals, because every model lacks something
@@mysense7005 Yea, making sandals has been a goal of mine too. I tried one time and it came out pretty bad, ha. Good to know about the JackRabbit, I'l put it on my list. Probably very similar to the Alpha Blackbear, just with a little less security around the heel due to the more minimal straps.
Query for you my good sir re barefoot sandals, did you find your feet needed to be “broken in”? I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for several years but never sandals. I took my DLDs out the other day for first real “urban” trek and my feet started feeling all prickly after 2hrs or so. Took them off and let’s just say the things had given me a rough pedicure on the soles of my feet and left skin imbedded in the footbed. Any advice? I’d hate to have to reconsider my purchase because of the footbed material (it’s the somewhat rough, slightly beaded for lack of a better word, footbed to give grip when wet) but maybe a softer one is in order unless this type of response is expected until one’s feet toughen up?
Funny enough the Toetem Alpha and DLD Perception are my two most used sandals right now. The Alpha's are my favorites for pretty much everything and have a smoother footbed, which doesn't leave a mark, but, like you say, in wet conditions, the textured footbed of the Perceptions definitely has a better grip. You might consider just getting a second pair of a different brand and switching between them for different uses. The Frontier would be overkill for urban terrain, imo, but the Alpha is perfect. ruclips.net/video/bU1cweEMjVA/видео.html
@@AndrewFolts do you find you have to constantly readjust your DLDs? I get them where I want, walk a bit, take them off by dropping the heel strap and when I pop them on again they are loose or at least not where I had them before (noticeably so). I’m beginning to think I’ll need to get toetems as I prize ease of use and foot security foremost. Expensive result 😢
@@cybersurf5 No, if anything I found the DLD's difficult to get loose, because the rubber clings tight to the wide straps. I've never once adjusted them since day one. But yea, Toetem's are easier to adjust when needed with the velcro.
@@AndrewFolts what would you say has been the pair(s) that felt the most secure on your feet? How would the Toetems rank?
@@cybersurf5 Shamma sandals are #1 for security due to the extra strap, but they feel stiff and uncomfortable to me. Toetem's are #2 for security and #1 for everything else, so they're what I wear most of the time.
Which ones are wider overall? Monks or Blackbears? And what about the wear on straps under the sole?
Toetem. They have an extra-wide option, which is even wider than what I have.
I just can't do the toe strap sandals 😅
That's what I thought for years...always hated toe thongs. Some barefoot huarache's I tried were not too bad, but with Toetem's the thong is so smooth/soft I forget it's even there. Now I prefer it, because of the improved security for running.
Yoo andrew how have you been?
Working on the biggest video of my YT career. Should be going up within the next few days. How's your summer so far?
@@AndrewFolts wow that's amazing
@AndrewFolts it's going good thanks for asking ☺️
new sub here. do u like the hemp blackbear better than leather?
I prefer the leather. The temp regulation is better. That said, the hemp does have some nice texture to create a bit more grip for wet conditions, although it will take longer to dry.
@@AndrewFolts Cool! I'm leaning towards the leather. Hard to find an all natural sandal, thanks-
I dont like the toe strap and ive never run in sandals 😮 might have to try .. bet ill stub my toe! 🤣
I've never stubbed my toe once in Toetem's. Funny enough, I tend to order sandals a half size down and I think that helps with agility and spacial awareness, but the toe thong also keeps the sole snug to your foot, so it doesn't catch on roots and such.
Same. Sonsabitches hurt after a while
@@AndrewFolts not sure I'm keen on trying I'm always catching the toe of my shoes on stones and roots 😬🤣
Well this solves my dilemma of buying Luna's and resoling them with Vibram soles... Frontiers looks sweet..how sandals should be made (with Vibram) to begin with...All barefoot zero drop shoes, boots sandals should be manufactured with Vibram all around necessary
Yea, Toetem is so underrated. They're easily the best and most comfortable barefoot sandal brand I've tried after seven years.
Was interested until I saw these are animal cruelty products :/
There's no such thing as a "cruelty-free" product, unfortunately. Even many organic farms shoot, trap, and poison animals in order to protect their crops (cotton, etc), along with disrupting natural habitat...noise pollution...deforestation...emissions from harvesting/production/shipping. The Frontier Hemp is a good vegan option, though, and Toetem sources the materials for their leather sandals locally from small scale farms that treat their animals as respectfully as possible.